Steam iron



UcLZB, 1945. E. o. MORTON STEAM IRON Filed July 29, 1942 INVENTOR ELDRED QMORTON.

ATTORNEY Patented Oct. 23., 1945 mrr.

smart men Eldreol 0. Morton, Mansfield, Qhio,

Westinghouse Electric Corporation,

assignor to East Pittsburgh, Pa, a corporation or PennsylvaniaApplication July 29, 1942, Scrial No. 452,704

7 Claims.

This invention relates to steam irons, and particularly to that class ofsteam irons known as the flash-boiler type, which include a steamgenerator and a valve controlled water supp y and it has for an objectto provide an improved steam iron of the character set forth.

In steam irons of this class, water is fed to a steam generator,preferably located in the soleplate, at a rate which allows the water tobe flashed almost instantly into steam. The generated steam isdistributed to thematerial being ironed or steamed by means of ports orthe like which communicate with the steam generator and open on theironing surface of the soleplate. Irons of this type are usuallyprovided with thermostatic means responsive to the temperature of thesoleplate and adjustable to maintain the soleplate at a temperatureselected in accordance with the material to be pressed or ironed. In theso-called dry iron, the'manner of arranging the thermostat and thesoleplate heating element to obtain correct temperature control and auniform distribution of heat throughout the soleplate is a relativelysimple problem in that the major loss of heat from the soleplate is thatextracted by the damp material being pressed, which engages the entireunder-surface of the soleplate. It will be appreciated, however, thatwhen a steam generator is incorporated in the soleplate and heated bythe same heating element which heats the ironing surface of thesoleplate, a second major heat loss is encountered, that is, the

heat necessary to vaporize the water in the steam generator. 1 I

It is, therefore, an object of this invention to provide an emcientsteam iron, which may be used either as a dry iron or as a, steam iron,having a substantially uniform distributionof heat throughout theironing surface of the soleplate and also capable of accuratetemperature control regardless of whether the iron is being used as a"dry iron or as a steam iron.

It is a further object of the invention to provide an improved steamiron construction in which the temperature control means thereforresponds quickly to changes in temperature of the soleplate.

Another problem encountered in this class of steam irons is that ofobtaining sumcient volume in the steam generator and evaporatingsurfaces therein to prevent water from being carried out through thesteam discharge ports. Further, by providing a maximum evaporatingsurface in the steam generator, the tendency for lime or scale to buildup in a concentrated region in the steam generator to a point where itwill affect the operation of the iron as a steam iron is materiallyreduced. From this, it follows that the iron may be used for longerperiods without the necessity of cleaning such lime or scale from thesteam generator.

These and other objects are efiected by my in vention as will beapparent from the following description and claims taken in connectionwith the accompanying drawing, forming a part or this application, inwhich:

Fig. 1 is a vertical longitudinal section of a steam iron made inaccordance with the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the soleplate of the iron illustrated in Fig.1;

Fig. 3 is a transverse section taken substantially on the line llL-DI ofFig. 2; and,

Fig. 4 is a bottom plan view of a cover plate for the soleplate. f

The steam iron, generally indicated Iii, illustrated in the drawings ispreferably electrically heated and comprises a metallic soleplate ii, asheet metal cover or shell member l2 and a, plastic or wood handle it,which are secured together in any suitable manner. The interior of thecover is provided with a partition M which, together with the side andtop walls thereof, defines a water storage chamber or reservoir it.

The reservoir i5 is supplied with water through a fill tube it which maybe brazed or otherwise secured in fluidtight relation in the topwall ofthe cover it. This fill tube extends through an opening in the rear partof the handle l3. A flanged bushing ii is screw-threaded on the tube andengages a shoulder it provided in the mentioned opening in the handle tosecure the rear part of the handle to the cover. The fore part of thehandle may be secured to the cover E2 in any suitable manner (notshown). I

The upper end of the fill tube i6 is normally closed by means of a capl9 having a gasket 2| which seats against the flange of the mentionedbushing ll. This cap is biased into closed position by means of atension spring 22. secured at one end to a lug 23, formed on theundersurface of the cap, and to a wire clip 24 at the other end thereof.This clip engages the lower end of the fill tube It. The cap it may bepulled away from thefill tube to permit the reservoir to be filled oremptied by inserting a fingernail under the tapered edge of the cap atthe point 25.

The metallic soleplate l l is detachably secured in any suitable mannerto the bottom of the cover l2 and preferably in spaced relation to thepartition It to at least partially thermally insulate nation of waterThe heating element is preferably cast into me soleplate and may be ofwell-known construction, and comprises an outer metallic-tubeor sheath2| having a coiled resistance element 29 supported in spaced concentricrelation thereto by means of suitable highly compacted, heat-conducting,electrical-insulating material.

Power for heating element 21 by adapted to be brackets 32, fixed, to thetop wall of the cover II. The conductors are insulated from thesebrackets extending through the rwervoir I! and brazed or otherwmesecured in iluidtight relation to the heating element 21 in series witha menu justable may be of any desired construction.

'Ihe thermostat is positioned substantially centrally of the soleplatewithin the bight of the U- shaped heating element in a well 35 providedwithin the space between the arms of the heating element. The thermostatwell is defined by a partition or wall 38, preferably formed integralwith the soieplate.

The wall 3!. together with the raised portion of the soleplate overlyingthe heating element. defines channels 38 which extend continuously alongthe heating element. These channels, as will appear later, serve tocomplete the vaporiand to conduct steam from a steam generator 33.provided in the region of the heel of the soleplate. These channels havethe added function or more or less isolating the thermostat fromally-ading element 21.

The steam generator 33 is formed by an opening extending through thesoleplate and with which the channels 38 communicate. This recess isclosed at its lower end by means of a removable annular disc or plug 40which is received in an enlarged portion of the mentioned recess. Thecentral opening in this plug receives a headed member I! or othersuitable means for engagement of a member ll is threaded onto a bushing43 having a central passage 44 thereconnects the water reservoir withthe steam-generating space 39, as will appear later. l

The bushing 43 is threaded into the lower end of a tubular'strut' 4!which is preferably brazed or otherwise secured in i'luidtight relationto the upper and lower walls of the water reservoir. 43 hasclampedthereto. as by means of a nut I! and a cooperating shoulder 41 formedthereon. an annular thin metal disc 48 which serves to close the top 01'thefsteam-generating space 39. This disc 48 is seated in an enlargedportion or an opening 49 provided in a cover plate and pass through atube 33' thermostat, generally indicated 34, whichover the heatingelement at openings 51 in the cover plate .8! (Fig. 4), and ispreferably made oi. relatively poor heat-conducting metal to retard theilow of heat from the hot soleplate to the bushing member 41 and therebyreduce or prevent vaporization of water in the passage N of the bushing.

The cover plate it is sive with th carried along the channels 38 to passupwardly the toe of the iron into the mentioned recess" 52 and then downprovide a fluidtight joint and prevent the escape of steam, exceptthrough ports [3, from the steamgenera lng Space 39 and the channels 38.The cover plate may be clamped to the soleplate by means of a pluralityof screws 56 receivable in and threaded into the soleplate.

As mentioned, water is supplied to the steamgenerating space 39 from thewaterreservoir it;

through the passage ll provided in the bushing member 43. The rate atwhich the water is fed to the steam generator is controlled by means 01'a valve stem 53 having an adjustable connectlon, as indicated at 59,with the strut ii. The lower end of this valve stem is tapered and isengageable with a valve seat 8| formed in the bushing to cut oil theflow of water to the steam generator and is adjustable relative to tiltvalve a steam generator, a-vent is water reservoir to insure a seat tothrottle the flow 01' water to the steam generator. The upper end 01'the valve stem 58 extends through a suitable packing gland 62 and isprovided with a for manipulating the valve stem. This knob may beprovided with a rate of water flow to of r the particular settingtherein order to equalize the steam generator 39 and the pressureswithin the channels 38 and the continuous flow, by gravity, of waterfrom the water reservoir to the provided in the form of a tube 64 whichcommunicates with the chan-' nels 38 at their Junction and with theinterior of the water reservoir above the normal liquid level thereof.The construction 01' this vent may be in accordance with that disclosedin my copending application bearing Serial N0. 433,701 and filed March7, 1942, for Steam irons and assigned to the assignee of the presentapplication.

The vent tube 64 is preferably brazed or otherwise secured in fluidtightrelation to the partition I of the water reservoir and extends influidtight relation through an opening 65 provided in the cover plate5|. The upper end of the tube projects within a recess 86 provided inthe handle. A cap member or steam dome 61 also extends into this recessabout thetube l4 and is brazed or otherwise secured in fluidtightrelation to the cover ii. A baflle plate 68 having openings 69 thereinmay be provided about the tube M to prevent water from accidentallysplashing up into the vent tube as the iron is moved to and fro over thematerial being pressed.

permitsthe steam Operation To use the iron as a dry iron, it is onlynecessary to connect the conductors 3| to a suitable source ofelectricity, household convenience outlet, and adjust the thermostat 34by means of a lmob H. -'I'his'knob is connected to the thermostat bymeansof a rod 12 extending through a sleeve 13 secured in fluidtightrelation to the upper and lower walls of the water reservoir;conventional .dry iron, the water-valve'knob $3 is left at its 011"position so that water will not enter the steam-generating space 39.

When it is desired to use the iron as a steam iron, to moisten or dampenthe clothes while ironing, the operator turns the water valv knob 63 tothe desired setting amount of steam for the particular material beingironed. It is, of course. assumed that the water reservoir has beenfilled with water and the soleplate is up to its selected temperature.With the valve stem 58 raised from the valve seat 6!, the water in thereservoir flows through openings it provided in the strut 65 into thepassage 66 and falls in the center of the screw member M from' which itcan flow into the steam-generating space 39 through openings '15. Sincethe plug 58) is'in In using the .iron as asuch as. the conventional toprovide the correct direct contact with the hot soleplate, the waterwillbe flashed almost instantly to steam and will flow along the channels 38to the fore part or toe of the iron. In the event that the water is notcompletely vaporized in the steam-generating space 39, further heat willbe rapidly added to the water as it moves along the channels 38, sincethe channelsare closely adjacent the heating element 21, and completevaporization of the water will be obtained. When the steam reaches thefore part of the iron it passes up into the recess 52 in the cover plateand then down through the ports 53 to the material being pressed.

As the iron is used, there may be an accumulation of lime or scaledeposited on the plug ti! and within thecentral recess of the screwmember M. This may be readily cleaned therefrom by removing the screwand the plug. Removal of these parts also provides access to the rearpart of the channels 38 so that any therein may be cleaned.

It will be appreciated that very little deposit will accumulate in thefore part of the channels since the water will be vaporized by the timeit I reaches the forward end of the iron. However, if

desired. the plug member so may extend for-. wardly to form the bottomwall of a portion of the channels 38 so that on removal of the plugmember a substantial portion of the channels is exposed.

While I have shown my invention in but one form, it will be obvious tothose skilled in the art that it is not so limited, but is susceptibleof various changes and-modifications without departing from the spiritthereof, and I desire, therefore, that only such limitations shall beplaced thereupon as are specifically set forth in the appended claims.

What I claim is:

l. A steam iron comprising a soleplate. a U- shaped heating elementcarried by said soleplate and arranged with the bight thereof directedtoward the front end of said soleplate, said soleplate having asteam-generating space formed therein adjacent the rear end thereof,means for supplying water to said space, a thermostat well formed insaid soleplate within the bight of said heating means, a U -shapedpassage provided in deposits formed ing in said steam-generating spacewhereby steam generated within said space may pass along said passage tothe front end of said soleplate, and means adjacent the front end ofsaid iron communicating with said U-shaped passage for discharging steamfrom. said passage to the material being pressed.

2. A steam iron comprising a soleplate, a steam generator carriedby saidsoleplate and located adjacent the rear end thereof, means for supplyingwater to said steam generator, electrical means for heating saidsoleplateand said steam generator, said heating means extendingjrom therear to the front end of said soleplate along the sides thereof,thermostatic means mounted on said soleplate adjacent thelower surfacethereof for controlling said electrical heating means, a passagecommunicating at one end with said steam generator and extending towardthe front end of the soleplate closely; adjacent said heating means andin good heat-receiving relation thereto, said steam generator andpassage being disposed horizontally between said thermostatic means andsaid heating means and limiting the direct conduction of heat from saidheating means to said thermostatic means, and means at the front end ofsaid iron communicating with said passage for discharging steam fromsaid passage to the material being pressed.

3. A steam iron comprising a soleplate, a heating element carried bysaid soleplate, a thermostat mounted, substantially centrally of saidsoleplate, a steam-generator provided adjacent the rear of saidsoleplate, means for supplying water to said steam generator, passagemeans formed on said soleplate and extending from said steam generatorto the forward end of said soleplate, said passage means together withsaid steam generator substantially circumscribing said thermostat, saidheating means, thermostat, passage means and steam generator beingdisposed in substantially a common plane with the passage means andsteam generator located between said heating means and thermostat, andmeans for discharging steam from said passage means to the materialbeing pressed.

4. A steam iron comprising a soleplate, electrical heating means forsaid soleplate extending from rear to front adjacent the sideedgestliereof, thermostatic means mounted substantially centrally onsaid soleplate for controlling said heating means in response to thetemperature of said soleplate, a steam generator carried by saidsoleplate, means for supplying liquid to said steam generator, passagemeans provided in said soleplate and communicating with said steamgenerator for receiving steam therefrom, means for discharging steamfrom said passage means to the material to be pressed, said passagemeans and steam generator being disposed between said heating means andsaid thermostatic means and substantially circumscribing saidthermostatic means for restricting the direct conduction of heat fromsaid heating means to said thermostatic means.

5. A steam iron comprising a soleplate, a substantially U-shapedelectric heating element of the sheathed type imbedded in said soleplatewith the bight thereof directed toward the front end of said soleplateand with the arms thereof ex.-

. the sheathed element being disposed in substantially a common plane,means for supplying a liquid to be vapormed to a portion of said passageand means communicating with another portion of the passage forconducting steam generated within said passage to the material to bepressed.

' 6. A steam iron comprising a soleplate, a substantially U-shapedelectric heating element of ype imbedded in said soleplate with thebight thereof directed toward the front end of said soleplate and withthe arms thereof extending rearwardly therefrom adjacent the side edgesof the soleplate. said soleplate having a thermostat-receiving welltherein disposed between and in spaced relation to the arms of theheating element, thermostatic means in said well for controlling saidheating element, said sole- Dlate having said heating a passage formedtherein betweenthe soleplate, said ass-1,281

mon plane. means for rearwardly therefrom adjacent the side edges ofsoleplate having a thermostatreceivlng well therein disposedsubstantially centrally of said plate between the arms of the heatingelement, said soleplate also having a, recess or recesses thereinconducting said steam to said ports.

ELDRED O. MORTON.

